State Courts
-
Commonwealth Court rules the state constitution includes a fundamental right to abortion
The 4-3 majority also overturns Pennsylvania’s ban on using public money for abortion.
-
Pennsylvania court upends mandatory use of life-without-parole for second-degree murder
Pennsylvania’s high court on Thursday overturned the use of automatic life sentences without parole for people convicted of second-degree murder, saying it violates the state’s constitutional ban on cruel punishment when imposed without a closer look at the defendant’s specific role and culpability.
-
Judge calls Justice Department’s statements on Philadelphia slavery exhibit display ‘dangerous’ and ‘horrifying’
“You can’t erase history once you’ve learned it. It doesn’t work that way,”
-
Pennsylvania’s judges got pay raises. How much they’ll make in 2026.
A 3.3% pay increase that affects scores of state officials also includes Pennsylvania judges at all levels, from magisterial district judges who handle minor offenses, including traffic citations, to the state’s court of last resorts.
-
PA residents push back against AI data centers in Lancaster
Residents of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, are voicing concerns over plans to convert two former printing plants into massive data centers for artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
-
Pa. court lifts suspension for York County judge after federal prosecutors drop indictment
A York County judge who was accused of stealing unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to return to the bench after the federal indictment against him was dismissed.
-
Pennsylvania reelects Supreme Court justices, extending a Democratic majority on its highest court
Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht won new terms, with support from the Democratic Party and allies including Planned Parenthood, labor unions, trial lawyers and a constellation of progressive groups.
-
Philadelphia’s mass transit agency says it’ll comply with order to restore deep service cuts
Philadelphia’s public transit agency said Friday that it will restore services that it eliminated after a judge ordered it to undo the two-week-old cuts that were challenged in court as discriminatory toward poor and minority communities.
-
Court decision clears path for lawsuit over Pa. Liquor Control Board’s special order handling fees
The lawyer for a Lancaster County restaurant leading the case said damages for businesses and individuals could exceed $50 million.
-
Preliminary hearing waived for the man suspected of firebombing the Governor’s Residence last April
Cody Balmer, 38, pleaded not guilty to all charges, including terrorism, aggravated assault and attempted homicide, shortly after his arrest in April, and is being held without bail. He is being represented by a public defender.
